Last week’s 1823 Bi-Centennial Cultural Festival and Concert, one of a series of theatrical events staged by the Government of Guyana to commemorate the 185th Anniversary of Emancipation and the 200th Anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Slave Rebellion, stimulated a brief analysis of African-derived performance traditions and venues in the Caribbean.
On Friday, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was to have hosted “The 1823 Bicentennial Cultural Festival and Concert” on the grounds around the 1823 monument on the Kitty seawall.
Three short plays of compelling interest were performed on July 28 last at the National Cultural Centre.
Among the national events to mark the 185th anniversary of Emancipation was an effectively packaged theatrical performance titled “August Morning – Opening of the Day”.
It is almost a ritual in itself that every year around the time of the anniversary of emancipation from slavery in the Caribbean, the people of the region turn their minds to a commemoration of African culture.
We have on previous occasions discussed the foundations, history and development of Guyanese literature in these pages.
The dramatic play Anansi by Alistair Campbell will shortly be broadcast on radio.
It is the season of the Commonwealth short story. The Commonwealth Foundation in London has awarded the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Overall Prize to Kwame McPherson of Jamaica for his story “Ocoee”.
The Commonwealth Foundation is scheduled to announce the overall winner of the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize on Tuesday June 27.
Makantali money done in de country Makantali money done oh (Traditional) These words are taken from a Guyanese folk song which is based on legend.
Guyanese-British actor and prize-winning poet Marc Matthews is one of the foremost dramatic, stage and literary personalities in the Caribbean.
Guyanese literature was highly celebrated last February with the return of the Guyana Prize for Literature and its concomitant Literary Festival during the Republic anniversary observations.
The Poet The poet is a magician, The philosopher’s stone is his; It turns all baser metals To priceless rarities.
They Came In Ships They came in ships From far across the seas Britain, colonising the East in India Transporting her chains from Chota Nagpur and the Ganges Plain.
Among the high points of the recent Guyana Prize Literary Festival, resurrected last February, was the performance of the play Sauda by Guyanese playwright Mosa Telford, directed by Ayanna Waddell and staged by the National Drama Company at the Cultural Centre.
Sonnet 3 Look in the glass and tell the face thou viewest, Now is the time that face should form another, Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest, Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother.
The University of Guyana and the Theatre Guild of Guyana are currently collaborating in the production of a programme of two plays – The Tramping Man by Ian McDonald and Duenne by Paloma Mohamed, currently running at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Kingston until April 22.
On Holy Week Malefactor (Left) So you is God? Den teck wi down!
I have never learnt the names of flowers. From beginning, my world has been a place Of pot-holed streets where thick, sluggish gutters race In slow time, away from garbage heaps and sewers Past blanched old houses around which cowers Stagnant earth.
The BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2023 which ends today in the UK, featured a Guyanese film on its programme.
The ePaper edition, on the Web & in stores for Android, iPhone & iPad.
Included free with your web subscription. Learn more.
